The producer of the classic western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Paul Monash, has died at the age of 85.

Monash, who was also a screenwriter, also produced films including Carrie and Big Trouble in Little China.

He died at his Los Angeles home after a brief illness, friend and fellow screenwriter Dennis Feldman said.

"Paul had a great love of life and two full careers as a producer and television writer," said Mr Feldman.

"He was very active even at the end of his life. ... He never seemed to have lost his energy or sense of humour."

Mr Feldman said his friend had been proud of his work in television.

Lifetime achievement

Monash wrote, directed and produced the popular 60s TV show Peyton Place, which starred Mia Farrow and Ryan O'Neil during its five-year run.

He also wrote the screenplay for war film All Quiet on the Western Front, which won a Golden Globe in 1980 for best TV mini-series or movie.

His other credits include the 1974 version of The Front Page, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, and The Friends of Eddie Coyle.

The Writers Guild of American bestowed Monash with the Laurel Award for lifetime achievement in 2000.

Collecting the award, he said: "I have not written the Great American Novel. It is still in first draft."

He also received Emmy nominations for his TV dramatisations of the lives of Joseph Stalin in 1992 and George Wallace 1997.

Monash was married to Jacqueline Boncy Monash and had two children and two step-children.